According to the AFFI website, “Therapeutic recreation is the use of recreational activities to enhance clinical and alternative therapies and rehabilitation.” The folks at AFFI have chosen fly fishing as an ideal recreational activity to help people with disabilities regain mobility, strength, coordination, and positive attitude. Ken Morrow, an outdoor writer from El Paso, Texas, founded the organization. As a fly fisherman and a person who lives with a disability, Ken understands the unique way that fly fishing can contribute to rehabilitation. Through fly fishing and fly tying, participants enjoy a great sport along with effective therapy.
People Who Benefit from Adaptive Fly Fishing
People with all sorts of disabilities, including but not limited to loss of limbs, severe burns, and post traumatic shock, benefit from adaptive fly fishing programs. Learning to use prosthetic devices while learning to cast, returning to outdoor environments in a way they thought no longer possible, and receiving the emotional and psychological healing that accompanies time spent out of doors in a supportive environment while mastering new skills are all among the results of adaptive fly fishing programs. The institute especially focuses on training and providing qualified instructors for programs serving injured veterans.
AFFI Means Qualified Professional
An instructor who has earned the letters AFFI after his or her name has completed a thorough mentoring program and passed a comprehensive written test. All AFFI instructor candidates must be nominated by a current AFFI member.
Morrow explains,
“Now, that doesn't mean it's ‘invitation only.’ What we do mean is that someone who wants to take the exam needs to talk to an AFFI, get to know them, have them assess their skill and knowledge level, and let them know whether or not they are ready to take the exam. If they are, the AFFI will give them a nomination. If not, the AFFI will counsel them in how to prepare for the exam. We use a mentoring process in this way to train people who aren't ready for the exam, but who want to become AFFI's. It really isn't that the skills are so difficult. It's really mostly about knowledge and teaching ability. Next, an AFFI candidate has to be certified in CPR and First Aid and have a boating or water safety course. And if they need a guide license to engage in professional instruction where they live, then they have to have that as well. The AFFI is a professional certification. And most places, if you're going to teach people to fish for a living, you have to have a guide license. But that's not true everywhere.”
Beginning in 2010, AFFI will be offering three new certifications that are easier to achieve, the Introductory Casting Instructor (ICI), Certified Fly Tying Instructor (CTI), and the Adaptive and Fly Fishing Therapeutic Facilitator (FAC). People who are interested in these programs can pursue certification by arranging for their organization to set up and host a training program. AFFI’s will travel to the training location and conduct the event.
AFFI Funding
As is the case with most non-profit organizations, AFFI must stretch the dollars it receives as far as possible. The institute receives some funding through grants, and it partners with other organizations. But, primarily, the institute is supported and driven by offerings of time, effort, and financial support from its board, its members, and its supporters. The AFFI is a new organization, founded in July of 2009, and as such is still in the early stages of its growth. However, it promises to be a valuable resource for preparing professionally trained and certified therapists and instructors in the growing field of therapeutic recreation.
Brenda Layman - I grew up in eastern Kentucky in a family that hunted, fished, hiked, and camped regularly. Although I moved to Ohio to become a teacher ...
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